H. Blair, H.Ivor Pogue
1979
Citations
0
Influential Citations
20
Citations
Journal
Polymer
Abstract
Abstract The photomechanical properties of a polymer system containing 6-nitro-1,3′,3′-trimethyl-spiro-(2H-1-benzopyran-2,2′-indoline) as a photosensitive additive, were investigated. Mixed monolayers containing various proportions of this spirobenzopyran and polymethyl methacrylate were examined — using a Langmuir trough, and π versus area curves were obtained for the various compositions in both dark and u.v. conditions. The results show a reduction in apparent area of the spiran molecule under u.v. light. This is attributed to the conversion of the compound from its bulky spiro form into a planar merocyanine type structure. This reduction in area is controlled by other factors such as miscibility of the components, the spreading nature of the mixed monolayer, the non-ideal nature of the polymer component and the ionic nature of the merocyanine structure.